The Āvaśyaka Sūtra is one of the four Mūlasūtra texts of the
Śvetāmbara
The Śvetāmbara (; also spelled Shwetambara, Shvetambara, Svetambara or Swetambara) is one of the two main branches of Jainism, the other being the Digambara. ''Śvetāmbara'' in Sanskrit means "white-clad", and refers to its ascetics' practi ...
scriptural canon.
Contents
Six Obligatory Actions
The Āvaśyaka Sūtra lists the six Obligatory Actions, which Jain ascetics are required to follow. They are:
#equanimity (''
sāmāyika
''Sāmāyika'' is the vow of periodic concentration observed by the Jains. It is one of the essential duties prescribed for both the ''Śrāvaka'' (householders) and ascetics. The preposition ''sam'' means one state of being. To become one is ...
'' / ''samatā'')
#praise (''
bhakti
''Bhakti'' (; Pali: ''bhatti'') is a term common in Indian religions which means attachment, fondness for, devotion to, trust, homage, worship, piety, faith, or love.See Monier-Williams, ''Sanskrit Dictionary'', 1899. In Indian religions, it ...
'') of the fordmakers
#homage to the teacher (''vandana'')
#repentance (''
pratikramaṇa'')
#laying down the body (''
kāyotsarga'')
#abandonment (''
pratyākhyāna'')
The first obligatory action of equanimity (''
sāmāyika
''Sāmāyika'' is the vow of periodic concentration observed by the Jains. It is one of the essential duties prescribed for both the ''Śrāvaka'' (householders) and ascetics. The preposition ''sam'' means one state of being. To become one is ...
'') is described in Chapter 2 of the Āvaśyaka Sūtra as such:
The fourth obligatory action of repentance (''pratikramaṇa'') is described in Chapter 32 of the Āvaśyaka Sūtra:
References
Notes
Sources
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Jain texts
{{Jainism-stub